James Frederick Richardson, known affectionately as Jim, was born on January 15, 1936, in Johnson County, Nebraska. He lived a full and eventful life until his passing in Lincoln, NE on March 12, 2025. Jim spent nearly all of his 89 years in and around Adams, Nebraska, where he enjoyed a long career in agriculture. He was a dedicated farmer, who found joy in the hard work and resilience it took to tend to the earth. His love for the land was only surpassed by his love for his family, whom he cherished deeply. He married Diane Laflin on August 13, 1973 and three children were born to this union, Ryan, Troy and Kari.

Jim was also an honest, witty, and sometimes a little stubborn man with a playful spirit. He found joy in life's simple pleasures, such as woodworking, bowling, pitching horse shoes, cutting and selling firewood, metal working, growing turnips, raising cattle for his family to eat, growing up to 30 lb. watermelons, going to casinos and farm auctions, and even entering beard-growing contests. He especially enjoyed attending his kids high school sporting events and his granddaughters softball games. Jim served his country in the United States Army from May 7, 1959 until April 17, 1961. He was a long-standing member of several local organizations including the Crab Orchard American Legion, the Eagles Club in Beatrice, and the Deer Creek Sod Busters. Jim was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Adams. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Jim embodied this principle through his dedicated service to his country, community and his unwavering love for his family.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Diane Richardson, his children, Ryan Richardson, Troy Richardson, and Kari (Luke) Bolyard, his granddaughters Kinley and Elsie Bolyard, his sister, Marlene Bell, brother Harlan (Jeannette) Richardson, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Malinda (Wiechman) Richardson.

Public visitation will be held at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice, Nebraska, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10:00-2:00 and later that day from 4:00-8:00 PM at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams, Nebraska. The family will greet friends on Thursday from 6-7:30 Pm in Adams. A family prayer service will be held Friday, March 21, 2025, at 10:45 AM at the United Methodist Church in Adams, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. The funeral service will be live-streamed at www.ghchapel.com for those unable to attend in person. Following lunch at the church, interment will be at the Crab Orchard Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. A memorial has been established to the families choice for future designation with the funeral home in charge.

In remembrance of James, we invite family and friends to share photographs, memories, and stories on his memorial page. You may also view his video tribute and funeral service at www.ghchapel.com. His life was a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and his legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him.

 These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams.